Theoretical Investigation of Half-Metallic Ferromagnetism in Sodium-Based Fluoro-perovskite NaXF{sub 3} (X = V, Co)
We report on the structural, mechanical, magneto-electronic and thermodynamic properties of cubic sodium based fluoro-perovskite NaXF3 (X = V, Co) through density functional theory (DFT). The generalized gradient approximation of Perdew, Burke, and Ernzerh (GGA-PBE) and the Tran-Blaha modified Becke-Johnson potential (TB-mBJ) are used for modeling exchange-correlation effects. The calculated lattice parameters agree well with the experimental measurements. Elastic properties show that these compounds are mechanically stable. The results of spin-polarized band structure show a half metallic behavior of NaVF{sub 3} and NaCoF{sub 3}. The magnetic study shows that the nature of these compounds is ferromagnetic and the integer value of the total magnetic moment confirms the half metallicity for both materials. The thermodynamic characters are also investigated through quasi-harmonic approximation.